Should Orioles have brought back Cedric Mullins? | MAILBAG

Question: Maybe it’s just me, but our outfield defensive play is off … either bad angles, or it seems we don’t hustle after the ball once it hits the ground or play it off the wall. Maybe seeing Cedric Mullins or Adam Jones the past 10-20 years has us spoiled. Just curious if the Orioles regret not re-signing Cedric. He’s better than any centerfielder we have on this roster. Our young outfielders — Enrique Bradfield Jr., Vance Honeycutt, Ike Irish or Nate George — can’t get to Baltimore fast enough. From: Phil in Hanover, Pennsylvania

Answer: Phil, I understand your misgivings about Orioles’ outfielders, and I appreciate your appreciation of Cedric Mullins’ play. But Mullins’ play fell off sharply after he left the Orioles, and he hit just .182 with a .565 OPS in the last two months of the season with the Mets.

Mullins has had a rough start to 2026. In his first 11 games with Tampa Bay, he’s just 5-for-41 (.122) with a .379 OPS, which is far lower than any Oriole outfielder.

I can’t imagine that they’re second-guessing not re-signing him.

Question: I have not heard Adam Jones’ name mentioned lately. Thought as a consultant or specialty coach, he was going to be available to help “coach-up” some of these young Birds in the outfield. They sure could benefit from his expertise and knowledge, no doubt. From: Jerry Flanigan

Answer: Jerry, Adam Jones is a special advisor to president of baseball operations Mike Elias as well as a community ambassador. He’s not on the coaching staff.

Jones was with the Orioles during spring training for about 10 days and he coached the outfielders, but he lives in Barcelona, and isn’t regularly with the team.

The Orioles have a former major league outfielder, Jason Bourgeois, as their first base and outfield coach.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.